Folding snack table

ABSTRACT

A folding snack table having a substantially reduced number of components is disclosed. There are provided a pair of laterally spaced apart scissor type legs pivotally mounted with respect to a support surface. First and second cooperating plastic frame sections are prestressed and secured to each other by concealed fasteners about the marginal edge of the support surface and are provided with means that firmly clamp the support surface in place. The first and second frame sections and the support surface are individually flexible but in the assembled condition are rigidized due to the prestressing feature of this invention to thereby resist subsequent twisting forces. The pairs of legs are each pivotally secured to the second frame section by means of pivot pins having heads that are received in partial sockets formed integrally with the second frame section.

Aug. 5, 1975 Primary E.ruminer-Roy D. Frazier Assistant EmmirzerDarre1l Marquette Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Leonard H. King [57] ABSTRACT A folding snack table having a substantially reduced number of components is disclosed. There are provided a pair of laterally spaced apart scissor type legs pivotally mounted with respect to a support surface. First and second cooperating plastic frame sections are prestressed and secured to each other by conceaied fasteners about the marginal edge of the support surface and are provided with means that firmly clamp the support surface in place, The first and second frame sections and the support surface are individually flexible but in the assembled condition are rigidized due to the prestressing feature of this invention to thereby resist subsequent twisting forces. The pairs of legs are each pivotally secured to the second frame section by means of pivot pins having heads that are received in partial sockets formed integrally with the second frame section.

7 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures 1 FOLDING SNACK TABLE {75] Inventors: Stuart E. Minsky, Woodbury; Irving Meteliz, Doug1aston, both of NY.

[73] Assignee: Artex-Green Corporation, Brooklyn.

[22] Filed: June 21, 1974 [2]] Appl. No: 481,744

[52] U.S. Cl 108/119; 108/153 [51] lnt. Cl. A47B 3/02; A47B 3/06 [58] Field of Search ..108/158,157,154,161,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,273,207 7/1918 Wege 108/161 1,295,073 2/1919 Schwartz et a1. 108/119 1,412,314 4/1922 Pandolfo 1 108/119 1.581.257 4/1926 Wege 1 1 108/158 2,090,679 8/1937 Jones 1 1 4 108/157 3,146,986 1/1964 Gorth 108/157 3,296,745 1/1967 Johnson et a1 52/623 FOLDING SNACK TABLE The aforementioned Abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application which, of course, is measured by the Claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to tables or the like and more particularly to an improved folding snack table.

2. Description of the Prior Art Portable snack tables are presently available in a wide range of styles. Some of the prior art snack tables nest one above the other for convenient storage and for minimizing the space occupied when not in use, while another type folds to a generally flat configuration for easy storage when not in use. The present invention is particularly directed towards improvements in the latter type.

One form of folding snack tables presently on the market comprises a wooden frame into which is set and to which is secured a flat support surface that is frequently decorated to be esthetically appealing. This prior art table is provided with a pair of laterally spaced apart, scissor-like legs that are joined together by a cross brace. The upper end of one of the legs in each pair of legs is pivotally secured in a suitable manner to a bar that is, in turn, adhesively secured to the underside of the snack table so that fasteners do not extend through the decorated support surface. Thus, when not in use, the support surface and the frame therefor may be folded downwardly to assume a position alongside the collapsed legs. When fully erected and with the legs in the open position, the support surface is pivoted about one of the legs in each of the pairs of legs and assumes a horizontal position resting on the uppermost end of the other leg of each of the pair of legs.

The prior art described hereinabove has found wide acceptance with the public since it is very sturdy when it is erected and yet is very compact when collapsed. Because of its open frame-like structure about the support surface, different designs may be used in order to provide a large variety of support surface appearances. However, because the prior art is fabricated from wood, it is relatively costly; that is the side sections of the frame are made of a plurality of separate elements each of which must be cut to a precise length and the corners must be mitered in order to provide an attractive, finished appearance. The wood must then be stained or painted.

It will be evident that with the constructions of the prior art skilled labor must be employed at relatively high hourly rates. Further, and even with the most highly skilled craftsmen, there is an ever present likelihood of waste when the lengths of the frame sections are improperly cut, when the corners are improperly mitered, when the sections are nailed or glued to each other, and when the wooden frame is finished, whether by painting or staining. There is also the continuing problem of the steady supply of high wood quality. Wood may crack and requires care in working. Another drawback to the wooden frame constructions of the prior art is that it is susceptible to nicking, scratching or staining when in use so that the appearance thereof steadily deteriorates.

Still another problem inherent with the prior art structure is the tendency for the bar that pivotally supports the legs to pull away from the underside of the support surface to which it is adhesively secured. This problem occurs when the adhesive is defective, when the adhesive is improperly applied or cured or when the support surface lacks cohesiveness. In any event the result is a defective table. In addition, the construction of the prior art does not provide any means for resisting the twisting forces that are applied to the snack table frame during use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention, by way of contrast, provides a two piece, molded plastic frame that is secured to and firmly retains the marginal edges of the support surface of the following snack tables. Each of the frame sections may be molded as a single unit together with means for receiving fasteners in a concealed manner so that the two frame sections may be secured to each other in an unobtrusive manner. In order to further insure that the support surface is firmly held between the frame sections, biasing means are provided. In one form of the invention, the biasing means are resilient spring fingers that are molded integrally with one of the sections. The spring fingers are positioned at an angle to the plane of the frane section in which they are molded and extend in a direction towards the other frame section. Thus. when the two frame sections are secured to each other and the support surface is positioned there between, the spring fingers will be depressed and will thereby exert a biasing force on the support surface. In this manner the support surface is firmly and rigidly held in place without the need for separate fasteners, springs or the like. A currently preferred plastic molding material is high impact polystyrene.

The plastic construction of the present invention obviates the need for precisely cutting the lengths of the frame section and also obviates the need for mitering the corners of the separate sections. There is substantially less likelihood of waste with the construction of the present invention since the several sides of each of the frame sections do not need to be secured to each other by fasteners, adhesives, etc. Nor is there any finishing such as staining or painting required of the present invention since the molded frame sections may be fabricated in any desired color and surface finish. Because skilled labor is not required and because the dependency on the supply and on the quality of the wood has been eliminated, the frame structure of the present invention is substantially less expensive that that of the prior art. Further, because of its plastic construction, the present invention is less likely to deteriorate in use.

The present invention does not rely on adhesive means, as does the prior art, for pivotally mounting the legs relative to the support surface. Instead the legs are pivotally mounted directly on one of the two molded frame sections. When the two molded frame sections are secured to each other by suitable fasteners, such as self-tapping screws, they are automatically prestressed to thereby resist any subsequent twisting force that is applied to the assembled frame.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved, folding snack table.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved, folding snack table, as described above, that includes a plastic, molded frame.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved, folding snack table, as described above, wherein the frame thereof is comprised of two molded plastic frame sections that are secured to each other by concealed fasteners.

An additional object of this invention is to provide an improved, folding snack table, as described above, including means for automatically prestressing the two molded plastic frame sections in the assembled condition.

Still another object of this invention is to provide means for pivotally mounting the legs thereof directly on one of the two molded plastic frame sections.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved, folding snack table, as described above wherein the molded plastic frame thereof includes means for resiliently holding the support surface.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will, in part, be pointed out with particularity, and will, in part, become obvious from the following more detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, which forms an integral part thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the various figures of the drawing, like reference characters designate like parts.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved snack table comprising the present invention in the erected condition;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the improved snack table comprising the present invention in the folded condition;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the snack table comprising the present invention with portions broken away;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional elevational view, on an enlarged scale, taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional elevational view, on an enlarged scale, taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, sectional elevational view, on an enlarged scale, taken along line 66 of FIG. 4',

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, sectional elevational view, taken along line 77 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, sectional elevational view, taken along line 88 of FIG. 3', and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, sectional elevational view, of the lower frame section prior to its being secured to the upper frame section, the resilient spring finger being shown in its normal, angular position and with the support surface being shown in phantom outline.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown the improved, folding snack table 10 comprising the present invention. The snack table 10 comprises a table section generally designated by the reference character 12 and two pairs of laterally spaced apart scissor-like legs 14a, l4b, and 16a, 16b. Approximately at their midpoints the legs 14a and 14b are secured to each other by means ofa pivot pin I8. The legs 16a and 16b are pivotally secured to each other in the same manner although not specifically illustrated. A transversely extending bar 20 is used to secure the legs 14b to the leg 16b, proximate their upper ends while upper and lower transverse rods 22 and 24, respectively, are used to secure the legs 14a to leg I60. A strap 26 secured to the underside of the supporting frame 34 captures and retains the upper transverse rod 22. Preferably, the strap 26 is metal, has some inherent resilience, and is formed with a depression so that a small effort is required to move the two pairs of legs 140, I41) and 16a, l6b, between the erected and collapsed positions. This construction assures that the two pairs of legs 14a, 14b and 16a, 16b will not move freely without an external force and thus assures that the snack table 10 will not inad vertently collapse.

The construction of the table section 12 in FIG. 1 and 2 may best be appreciated by referring now to FIG. 7. The table section 12 is comprised of a flat support surface 30 the upper side of which maybe suitable decorated. A plastic or a hard fibrous material such as Masonite may be used for the support surface 30. A frame comprising molded plastic upper and lower sections 32 and 34, respectively, are positioned above and below the support surface 30 considering first the upper frame section 32, it will be seen there is provided an arcuate surface 36 from which depend laterally spaced apart integrally molded side walls 38 and 40. The side wall 38 is shorter than the side wall 40. The side wall 38 is shorter than the side wall 40 and rests on the upper side of the support surface 30. A plurality of posts 42 are spaced about the upper frame 32 and ex tend downwardly therefrom. The posts 42 are each provided with a bore 44.

The lower frame section 34 is comprised of a laterally extending flange 46 having upwardly directed bosses 48 molded integrally therewith. A clearance hole 50 and a counter bore 52 are formed in each of the bosses 48 in order to receive a fastener such as a self-tapping screw 54. A first, upwardly extending wall 56 is molded integrally with the flange 46 and a lateral wall 58 extends inwardly from the upper end of the wall 56. A second, downwardly extending wall 60, a second laterally extending wall 62 and a third upwardly extending wall 64 are all molded integrally and contiguously with the wall 58.

As shown for example in FIG. 7, the marginal portion of the support surface 30 rests on the upper end of the first, second and third walls 56, 60 and 64. In addition the periphery of the support surface 30 abuts the post 42 that is integral with the upper frame section 32. The flange 46 supports the longer side wall 40 of the upper frame section 32.

It should be particularly noted in FIG. 7 that the free end of the wall 64 that is remote from the transverse wall 62 is provided with a plurality of small bosses or pads 66 that are higher than the free end 68 of the wall 60. The pads 66 define pivot points that bear against the underside of the support surface 30 but the end 68 of the wall 60 is normally spaced therefrom. Thus, when the fasteners 54 are tightened the portion of the support surface 30 that is outboard of the pads 66 will flex. The upper and lower frame sections 32 and 34, which are made integral by the fasteners 54, will absorb the force exerted by the flexing of the support surface 30, will be prestressed and will thereby resist twisting forces applied thereto. The rigidity of the assembled components will be greater than the rigidity of the individual components.

Means for pivotally supporting the legs 14b and 161) sh'wvr. n FIG? 4, 5 and 6. A pivot pin 70 extends illl'0U[ l an opening 72 formed proximate the upper earl of the l gs 14B and 168. The pin 70 is provided with a headed end 74. The walls 60 and 64 are provided wi h a igned openings 76 and 78, respectively, in order 7 receive a pin 70. It should be noted that superior bearing characteristics are provided by the laterally s; .r l apart walls 60 and 64. A washer 80 is positioned about the pin 70 proximate the end thereof opposite to the head 74 and then the pin 70 is rolled over to form .L. ind head such as is shown by the reference character 82 in FIG. 4. An arcuate rib 84 is molded integrally with and depends downwardly from the laterally extending wall 58 in order to provide a recess for capturing the washer 80 and the rolled over head 82 of the pin 70.

Resilient means for biasing the support surface with respect to the upper and lower frame sections 32 and 34 are shown in FIGS. 3, 7, 8, and 9. The resilient means comprise a plurality of spring fingers 90 that are molded integrally with and spaced along the wall section 58 of the lower frame section 34. Each of the spring fingers 90 is bounded on three sides by openings 92, 94 and 96. The fourth side of the spring finger 90 is defined by an integral hinge line 98. As shown in FIG. 9, the normal or molded position of the spring finger 90 is at an angle to and extends above the plane of the wall section 58 that is adjacent the underside of the support surface 30. When the support surface 30 positioned as shown in FIG. 7, and when the frame sections 32 and 34 are secured to each other by the screws 54, the spring fingers 90 will be depressed and will assume the position shown in FIG. 8. Because of the inherent resiliency of the plastic material a force will be exerted on the support surface 30 that tends to urge it in a direc tion towards the underside of the wall of the upper frame section 32. it will be appreciated that the combination of the resilient spring fingers 90 and the screws 58 provides firm support for the marginal portions of the support surface 30. The abutment of the support surface 30 with the bosses 66 and wall 88 and with the posts 42, provides for further retention of the support surface 30.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that an improved, low cost folding snack table has been provided. By virtue of the plastic construction the inherent defects and shortcomings of the prior art have been overcome. The fabrication and assembly problems inherent in the prior art have been eliminated as well as the need for highly skilled craftsmen. The frame structure of the present invention may be readily molded using conventional techniques and the finished product approximates the appearance of the wood construction used with the prior art. Simplified and reliable pivot means for the legs are readily available with the molded frame construction of the present invention. The provision of integral, inherently resilient spring fingers and concealed fasteners assures that the support surface will be securely held in place.

There has been disclosed heretofore the best embodiment of the invention presently contemplated. However, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A folding snack table comprising in combination:

a. a support surface;

b. a first. plastic open frame section positioned above said support surface;

c. a second plastic open frame section positioned below said support surface;

d. fastener means for securing said first frame section to said second frame section whereby the marginal edges of said support surface are captured therebetween;

e. a plurality of legs pivotally secured to and depending from said second frame section; and

f. resilient means cooperating with one of said frame sections for urging the marginal edges of said support surface in a direction towards said other frame section, said resilient means comprising a plurality of hinged fingers that extend at an angle to and away from the plane of said one frame section that is adjacent said support surface, said fingers being deflected in a direction away from their normal position when said first and second frame sections are secured to each other.

2. The snack table in accordance with claim 1 wherein said fingers are integral with said second frame section.

3. The snack table in accordance with claim I wherein said one frame section includes an opening directly beneath each said finger.

4. The snack table in accordance with claim 1 wherein said legs are pivotally secured to said second frame section by means of pins having enlarged securing means on each end thereof and said second frame section includes a partial socket for a said securing means.

5. The snack table in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first frame includes a plurality of tubular posts extending between the confronting planes of said first and second frame sections, said frame section including a fastener clearance hole in opposition to each said post, said fastener being concealed when extending through said clearance holes and received in said posts.

6. The snack table in accordance with claim 1 further including means for prestressing said frame sections.

7. The snack table in accordance with claim 6 wherein said prestressing means comprises a plurality of pads at isolated locations on one of said frame sections, said pads being in contact with said support surface whereby the remainder of said one frame section is normally out of contact with said support surface. 

1. A folding snack table comprising in combination: a. a support surface; b. a first, plastic open frame section positioned above said support surface; c. a second plastic open frame section positioned below said support surface; d. fastener means for securing said first frame section to said second frame section whereby the marginal edges of said support surface are captured therebetween; e. a plurality of legs pivotally secured to and depending from said second frame section; and f. resilient means cooperating with one of said frame sections for urging the marginal edges of said support surface in a direction towards said other frame section, said resilient means comprising a plurality of hinged fingers that extend at an angle to and away from the plane of said one frame section that is adjacent said support surface, said fingers being deflected in a direction away from their normal position when said first and second frame sections are secured to each other.
 2. The snack table in accordance with claim 1 wherein said fingers are integral with said second frame section.
 3. The snack table in accordance with claim 1 wherein said one frame section includes an opening directly beneath each said finger.
 4. The snack table in accordance with claim 1 wherein said legs are pivotally secured to said second frame section by means of pins having enlarged securing means on each end thereof and said second frame seCtion includes a partial socket for a said securing means.
 5. The snack table in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first frame includes a plurality of tubular posts extending between the confronting planes of said first and second frame sections, said frame section including a fastener clearance hole in opposition to each said post, said fastener being concealed when extending through said clearance holes and received in said posts.
 6. The snack table in accordance with claim 1 further including means for prestressing said frame sections.
 7. The snack table in accordance with claim 6 wherein said prestressing means comprises a plurality of pads at isolated locations on one of said frame sections, said pads being in contact with said support surface whereby the remainder of said one frame section is normally out of contact with said support surface. 